170 
C. J. Lyall —Three Translations from the Hamdseh. [No. 2, 
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Comeliness stands not in brave attire, 
though thou wrap thyself in a robe of hurd: 
Comeliness lies in a noble stock 
and valiant deeds that bring renown. 
I gathered to meet the chances of Time 
a hauberk flowing, a swift strong steed 
Stout and hardy, a grooved blade that cleaves 
helmets and bodies of men in twain : 
5 And well I knew that on that day 
I should have to fight both Ka‘b and Nahd— 
Men who, when they are arrayed in steel, 
glitter like leopards in leather and mail. 
Each man runs to the battle-stead 
with what he has gathered ready therefor. 
When I beheld our women flee 
furrowing the hard earth as they ran, 
And Lemisell’s unveiled face shone as though 
it were heaven’s full moon when it rises on high, 
O 7 
10 And all her loveliness, hidden before, 
stood bare to see, and the case grew grave, 
I stood forth to fight their chief: and needs 
must I fight him—no escape therefrom. 
They vowed that my blood should spill: and I 
vowed, if I met then, to do my best. 
How many a brother lief and dear 
have my two hands laid to rest in the grave! 
X wailed not, nor raised lament or cry, 
for my weeping would profit naught at all: 
15 I wrapped him round in his winding-sheet— 
hard was I born on my birth day ! 
I stand in the stead of those dead men : 
the foemen count me a host alone. 
Gone are the men I loved, and I 
lonely abide like sword in sheath. 
